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Windchill temperatures close to zero expected through New Year's Day

December 27, 2017 - Rev. Lisa Anderson, director of Room In the Inn, waves to an individual as those without shelter keep themselves warm at the facility on Wednesday. Temperatures are to drop down to 19 degrees overnight, according to The Weather Channel. Currently in its eighth season, Room In the Inn is a network of congregations that provide meals and emergency shelter during the coldest months of the year, which run from November through March. "Our goal, our mission is to keep people safe and offer hospitality in a safe environment, especially during the dangerously cold weather," Anderson said. (Photo: Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal)Buy Photo

"The next nine days look to be anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees below normal," James Branda, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Memphis, said.

At midnight on New Year's Eve, forecasts call for a temperature of 18 degrees. But with the windchill, it will feel like just 3 degrees, Branda said.

The city opened a warming center at the Benjamin J. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar, on Wednesday night that will be available through Monday. The Memphis Union Mission shelter added temporary beds to its facilities and is requesting donations of clothing and food.

Shelby County officials are keeping an eye on the power grid and warning residents to take precautions to avoid busted water pipes.

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Overton Square said in a Facebook post an "additional shipment of heaters" will be brought in for planned outdoor New Year's festivities.

Saturday, the day of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl game between University of Memphis and Iowa State may be the lone warm day, relatively speaking. Branda said the predicted high is 41 degrees.

"That is warmer than what we’ve been seeing," he said.

Sunday brings a slight chance of flurries, Branda said, but no ice or accumulation of snow is expected.

But windchill temperatures could drop below zero on Sunday into Monday.

"I think that’s really the most significant weather," Branda said.

Dale Lane, director of the Shelby County Office of Preparedness, said the county is monitoring "critical systems" like the power grid.

"Right now, just doing as we always do," he said.

The county issued an advisory Thursday providing residents with safety tips through the cold weather.

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December 27, 2017 - Ben Short, outreach coordinator at Room In the Inn, gives a cup of coffee to AJ Ayers, 57, at the facility on Wednesday. Temperatures are to drop down to 19 degrees overnight, according to The Weather Channel. Currently in its eighth season, Room In the Inn is a network of congregations that provide meals and emergency shelter during the coldest months of the year, which run from November through March. "Our goal, our mission is to keep people safe and offer hospitality in a safe environment, especially during the dangerously cold weather," director Rev. Lisa Anderson said.(Photo: Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal)

Anyone who has to be outside should bundle up with with a coat, hat, mittens, scarf, and face mask. Residents should check on neighbors and make sure pets are in a warm environment. The county also recommends wrapping outdoor pipes, letting indoor faucets drip and opening cabinet doors under faucets.

The Memphis Union Mission is seeking donations, mostly of clothes for men, including cold weather items like coats, gloves, hats and scarves. Items like towels, socks and underwear are also needed. Donations can be dropped off at the main shelter at 383 Poplar.

Steve Carpenter, development director for the Mission, said between the main shelter and a secondary one at 600 Poplar, including temporary beds set up for the cold weather, at least 300 men can have a warm place to stay this week. The shelter, which usually requires some guests to pay a $6 a night fee, is free any time the temperature drops below freezing.

"It’s been busy for some time now but fortunately we haven’t run into a situation where we’ve been at capacity and had to turn anyone away," Carpenter said.

Women and families can come to the shelters during the day, but are being referred to Room In the Inn or the library for overnight accommodations.

Cold temperatures are an inconvenience for most people, Carpenter said, but for the homeless, "it's deadly."

"In the past five years or so, we’ve had some really extreme winters that people have frozen to death outside," he said. "So it is a serious situation when it gets this cold."

Reach Jennifer Pignolet at jennifer.pignolet@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @JenPignolet.